BLOG

How is it possible that my baby puppies are already 6 weeks old! They are over 8 lbs, wearing collars, eating out of big dog bowls, and really developing their own personalities. Not much going on this week - just plenty of play time and socializing while we wait until the 7 week evaluations to happen. Then I will know who is going where!

This week the puppies turned 5 weeks old! They are now more than half way done with their time here. Bittersweet. They are growing up to be such beautiful and friendly pups. This upcoming week is a week of big changes....weaning is happening, the puppy pen is getting upgraded, and outside time will increase, along with a few other minor things.

So far I'm really happy with what I'm seeing with this litter. The pups are very typey, with lovely heads and square fronts. I'm excited to see them develop over the next couple of weeks!

The puppies are now 4 weeks old and are turning into little dogs! They are playing, have teeth, and have started eating meals that don't include momma! Ember is very pleased by this latest development - as 6 hungry, nearly 5 lb. pups with teeth, are not super appealing to her!

Everyone is doing great and they are enjoying their new space in the house - a newly setup 4'x8' enclosure in the dining room.....more room to play and great view of all the household activities.

On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Ember welcomed 6 lovely pups to the world - 5 boys and 1 girl! Everyone is healthy and happy. I couldn't be more pleased with these little guys and gal. Ember has done great throughout the process. She is a wonderful mom and the puppies are all gorgeous. All puppies are spoken for. If would like to be on our waitlist for a late 2018 litter, please contact me or fill out an application!

Today Ember had her ultrasound and I'm happy to say that she is pregnant! Several pups were easily seen on the ultrasound! We did not try to get an exact count, but I think it's safe to say it will be a full litter. This is very exciting for many reasons - one of which is this will be the first successful North American Drent litter conceived via artificial insemination. There have been a few failures previously, so I am extremely pleased that this worked out in our favor.

Everything is going well with Ember. She has experienced some nausea and general lethargy, but this is normal and not surprising. Over the next 4.5 weeks we will be setting up the whelping area and gathering the remaining supplies. Nothing big to report in terms of physical changes. Right now the pups are the size of large grapes and Ember pretty much looks the same as before. I will post photos as we progress towards January. If all goes as planned, we will have pups shortly after New Years!

Better late than never for a breeding update. I traveled across the country early November with all 3 Drents to introduce Ember to her betrothed. We arrived on day 10 of her cycle, anticipating breeding to occur around day 14. We had scheduled vet appointments to draw blood for progesterone tests so that we could determine the exact day of ovulation and subsequently would know the ideal breeding dates. Unfortunately, mother nature did not cooperate, and Paxson was not able to breed her naturally. Given his age, this isn't entirely surprising, though it was disappointing. We were however able to do collect him and do 2 AI procedures. His sperm count and quality looked great, and we know the timing was good. Currently trying to work out a time for an ultrasound....though all indicators say that Ember is pregnant. So fingers crossed she isn't playing games with us. Confirmation update to hopefully come next week!

Ember has started her season! A couple weeks earlier than I had hoped, but right at 7 months since her last cycle, so not entirely surprising. It's only a been a day and she's already acting pathetic and wanting extra loves. If all goes as planned, we will be leaving at the end of the week to start our travel for the breeding. Updates to follow.....

The puppies turn 7 weeks old this week and and will start leaving for the new homes in about a week and a half. Last weekend Fowler and I drove out to Colorado to see the pups and do their evaluations. I was very pleased with the litter and I think some families are going to be very happy. Here are a few photos of the almost grown babies :)